Find an Allergist
Updated April 26, 2015.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
If you’ve suffered from allergies for many years, and aren’t getting the relief you want from over-the-counter allergy medicines, or aren’t satisfied with the care you’ve received from your primary care doctor, then you may be ready to see an allergist. There are a number of good reasons to see an allergist, including the desire for immunotherapy. Once you’ve decided that you need to see an allergist, how do you find a good one?
Finding a good allergist has two aspects: You want to find someone who is reputable and someone with whom you can have a good doctor-patient relationship. The first aspect, being reputable, is something you can research and find out good information on – it's objective. The other aspect may or may not be so easy to measure. To find a professional with a good bedside manner or good people-skills, you may look to recommendations from your friends or word-of-mouth from other sources. Who is best is more of a subjective choice, though, and will differ from person to person.
In my opinion, a reputable allergist is one that has undergone appropriate training as an allergist in an approved fellowship-training program, and has become board-certified in allergy/immunology by passing a difficult exam. This exam needs to be re-taken every 10 years, so make sure that the allergist you choose keeps their board certification updated. Not everyone that calls himself or herself an allergist is actually formally trained and board certified as an allergist.
If your allergist is not both, find another allergist. Using the referral services from two of the national professional organizations of allergists in the United States, the AAAAI or the ACAAI, is a good way to find a board-certified allergist.
Finding an allergist whose personality you like may start with asking for recommendations from your friends, neighbors or your own personal physician. Age and gender may play a role in your decision – many people like finding a doctor of their same gender and of about their same age. The allergist’s approach to the treatment of your allergies may also be important to you – is he or she aggressive with tests and therapies, in order to get control of your symptoms quickly, or a minimalist, who may slowly order tests and increase your therapies until your symptoms are controlled. This difference is more of a personal preference.
There are some “red flags” that you should consider when choosing an allergist. These can be determined by asking your allergist some important questions at or before your first clinic visit (or the office receptionist or nurse may be able to answer your questions). In my opinion, if you don’t like the answer to any of these questions, find a different allergist right away. Once you’ve found an allergist that you think you’ll be happy with, be prepared for your first visit by being able to answer important questions at your first visit.
Learn more about why you should see an allergist soon.
Source:
Tips to Remember: Feel Better. Live Better. ?See an Allergist/Immunologist. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Website. Accessed January 16, 2010.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.